Family Life

Julius Caesar was born in Rome on July 12, 100 B.C, Caesar belonged to the honourable Julian clan; yet from an early childhood he knew controversy. His uncle by marriage was Gaiun Marius, leader of the Populares. Marius was seven times consul (chief magistrate), and the last year he held office, just flamen dialis, one of an archaic priesthood with no power. This identified him with his uncle's extremist politics, and his marriage in 84 B.C. to Cornellia, the daughter of Marius's associate, Cinna, further confirmed him as a natural.

Gain of Power

The basic prop for Caesar's continuation in power was the dictatorship for life. According to the traditional Republican constitution, this office was only to be held for six months during an urgent emergency. That rule, however, has been broken before. Sulla had ruled as dictator for several years, and Caesars now followed suit. In addition, he was made consul for ten years in 45 B.C. and recieved the sanctity of tribunes, making it illegal to harm him. Caesar also obtained honors to increase his prestige: he wore the robe, crown, and scepter of a triumphant general and used the title imperator.

Reasons for Fame

Scholarly opinion of Caesar's accomplishments is divided. Some regard him as an unscrupulous tyrant, with an insatiable lust for power, and blame him for the demise of the Roman Republic. Others, admitting that he could be ruthless, insist that the Republic had to be created. In fact, Caesar's reforms did stabilize the Mediterranean world. Among ancient military commanders, he may be second only to Alexander the Great.

The End

Julius Caesar died March 15 B.C. at the Theater of Pompey. He had enraged noble Patricians with his relationship with Cleopatra and was considering divorcing his wife Calpurnia to marry her. But his keeping the dictatorship was the real grievance, and the remains of the old party in the Senate could not bear that the patrician freedom of Rome should be lost. He was preparing an army intending to march into the far East, where no one but Alexander had gone before. His plans were known and if he came back victorious no one would be able to stand against him. The noble Patricians od Ancient Rome decided to take the most drastic of actions - they planned to murder Julius Caesar and assassinate him in the senate. Augustus took his place as emperor.